Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here.
Owners have filed 485 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Jeep Wrangler, and it carries 11 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 102 | 21% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 75 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 27 | 6% |
| Power train | 26 | 5% |
| Engine | 19 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 16 | 3% |
| Structure | 15 | 3% |
| Steering | 14 | 3% |
| Steering | 13 | 3% |
| Unknown or other | 13 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My abs control module is not functioning. The car does not stop properly in wet weather..the traction is effected. The abs control module was inspected by a dealership. The control module is non communicative to the abs
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I was driving and the traction control light, down-hill decent, abs, and parking brake light came on. Diagnostics came back to the brake module being defective.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Hood latches failed 3 days after vehicle purchase. Hood blew into the windshield obstructing my view at highway speeds. Dealership claims they are not responsible for damages as the vehicle was sold as is, but states the
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2011 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Brake, abs and traction dash lights come on permanently. Code pulled is C2200, abs internal failure. Replacement or repair parts unavailable due to manufacturer hold due to engineering issues. Can’t drive due to NC safet
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Jeep just quit while driving. Towed to dealership….dealership told us it was the TIPM and they couldn’t get another one for at least a year. No other options given. Had to tow the vehicle to my house from there!!!!!
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
My jeep wrangler Abs module has failed and needs to be replaced. But Jeep decided not to make this part anymore and now me and a LOT of others can’t get a new abs Module. My jeep is way too dangerous to drive now. When
NHTSA complaint: Steering
ABS Module problem that was affecting the performance of my 2011 Jeep Wrangler JKU to the point I almost had to stop driving it cause it wouldn't change out of 1st gear. This particular module in my jeep is on back order
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2011 Jeep Wrangler. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2010 Dodge Ram 3500, Ram 4500/5500, 2010-2011 Dodge Dakota, 2010-2014 Dodge Challenger, 2010-2015 Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300, and 2010-2016 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause t
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious inj
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The r
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles. The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.
Risk: A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: FCA US will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle, free of charge. Interim notices informing owners of the safety risk were mailed November 19, 2019. Owners will rece
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas,
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The r
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rup
Fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company.
| Reliability raw | 41 | below average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 59 | average |
| Maintenance | 70 | good |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 33 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 485 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 102 of them (21%). There are 11 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 41/100 (below average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 59/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip, because the reliability record is poor enough to outweigh everything else here. Its overall ownership score is 56/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.